The Covington Buccaneer wrestling team started the season in impressive fashion as they traveled to Oakwood Tuesday night for their opening dual meet. The atmosphere was perfect for wrestling as the two squads faced off in Oakwood’s sunken gymnasium. The Buccs took control early and never looked back as they led the Lumberjacks throughout the contest en route to a 50-27 victory.

A draw determined the 140 lb. weight class as the opening bout, and Justin McMillion got Covington off to a good start with a 22-10 major decision victory over Joel Turner of Oakwood. Ryan White (145) then followed suit with a pin over Lucas Cranwell, a returning district qualifier for the Lumberjacks. At 152 lbs., Bobby Wiltshire made it three in a row as he worked numerous moves in a 22-8 major decision win over John Harmon. The Buccs dropped the next two bouts, however, as Oakwood’s Matt Werst (160) won via pin over Justin Mahan and Briab Graeser (171) won decision over Nick Christian. Christian, a senior competing in his first ever match, wrestling surprisingly well and used his instincts to make up for a lack of experience.

Covington won the next two matches in dominating fashion as Logan Brown (189) and Brian Ely (215) earned pins over Oakwood’s Jesse Remnant and Matt Suits. Josh Mahan (275) then picked up another victory for the Buccs via forfeit. Oakwood’s Paul Hochwalt, brother of a multiple state-qualifier for the Lumberjacks, pinned Sam Herron at 103 lbs. This began a series of alternating victories between the two teams as Covington’s Jordan Tebbe (112) won by forfeit while Oakwood’s Brandon Bustillo (119) pinned Michael Corkhum. At 125 lbs., Covington freshman Jake Jennings showed his dominance in the top position with a pin over Landon Gray in just over a minute. Cody Swabb (130) then dropped his match via fall to Josh Johnson of Oakwood. At 135 lbs., Ritchie Watkins gave the Buccaneers the final victory of the evening with a first-period pin over Oakwood’s Matt Harmon.

Covington will travel to the ten-team Springfield Northeastern Invitational on Friday and Saturday, December 9 and 10.

Covington 50, Oakwood 27
140 – Justin McMillion (Cov) major decision over Turner (Oak), 22-10
145 – Ryan White (Cov) pin Cranwell (Oak), F3:46
152 – Bobby Wiltshire (Cov) major decision over Harmon (Oak), 22-8
160 – Werst (Oak) pin Justin Mahan (Cov), F3:33
171 – Graeser (Oak) decision over Nick Christian (Cov), 9-3
189 – Logan Brown (Cov) pin Remnant (Oak), F5:30
215 – Brian Ely (Cov) pin Suits (Oak), F1:42
275 – Josh Mahan (Cov) won by forfeit
103 – Hochwalt (Oak) pin Sam Herron (Cov), F1:15
112 – Jordan Tebbe (Cov) won by forfeit
119 – Bustillo (Oak) pin Michael Corkhum (Cov), F1:15
125 – Jake Jennings (Cov) pin Gray (Oak), F1:02
130 – Johnson (Oak) pin Cody Swabb (Cov), F0:21
135 – Ritchie Watkins (Cov) pin Harmon (Oak), F1:28